Thunder Cloud is racing at Flemington today in what will be his final hit-out before the $180,000 feature on March 22.

Thunder Cloud is a last-start Flemington winner over a mile and steps up to the 2000-metres of the cup today.

The five-year-old will be ridden by Craig Williams and is the $3.30 favourite.

"Thunder Cloud is a big chance to target the Albury Cup," Maher siad.

"He is a nice progressive horse and a last start Flemington winner.

"If he wins again the Albury Cup would fit in well with his preparation being a fortnight away, a listed race and over 2000-metres and would be ideal for him."

Maher has never previously had a runner in the Albury Gold Cup.

"Any cup is prestigious but I've just been learning about the crowd numbers Albury attracts," he said.

"The numbers Albury get makes it a truly iconic event.

"Now that it has switched back to the two-day carnival format it really is such a big event that we are keen to get up here to support it.

"We could target several of the other races including the Adrian Ledger Memorial."

The Caulfield Cup winning trainer was in Albury yesterday to launch the Albury Gold Cup carnival at the Commercial Club.

Maher, 37, has established himself as a rare talent in Australian racing. He shot to fame in 2007 when won his first Group One race with Tears I Cry in the Emirates Stakes at Flemington.

He has since won another 10 majors including the Caulfield Cup, BMW, VRC Oaks twice, Stradbroke Handicap and Thousand Guineas with noted stars Jameka, Aloisia, Set Square and Srikandi.

Merchant Navy, Azkadellia and Bon Aurum are among his other big race winners. He is also respected as one of the leading jumps trainers in Australia with three Grand National Steeplechases and four Warrnambool Grand Annuals on his record.

He is now training one of the biggest racing teams in Australia in partnership with David Eustace with stables and training facilities at Caulfield, Pakenham, Ballarat and Balnarring in Victoria and Warwick Farm in Sydney.

Maher and Eustace recently purchased the former Forrest Lodge property of banned trainer Darren Weir at Ballarat, adding another 100 horses to their numbers.

"I'm looking forward to Voodoo Lad racing on Saturday," he said.

"He is an old boy but he is pretty good."

The Albury Gold Cup Carnival has reverted to its traditional format of successive days on Thursday March 21 and Friday March 22.

More than $670,000 prizemoney will be offered.